MIDDLETOWN, Conn. (September 11, 2024) – The Western New England field hockey team traveled to Wesleyan University on Wednesday evening, falling in non-conference action to the Cardinals, dropping a 5-2 contest.

Records:

• Western New England: 2-2
• Wesleyan University: 3-0

How it Happened:

The Cardinals opened the game with four quick shots, opening with pressure to set the tone of the game. Two defensive saves would help the Golden Bears keep Wesleyan off the scoreboard, while Ella Henry would play strong early in between the pipes for Western New England, keeping the Cardinals at bay. Wesleyan would strike once in the opening 15 minutes of play after Annabel Cincotta would take the ball away from the Golden Bears and shoot a backhanded shot that would go up and over the pad of Henry and into the back of the net, giving Wesleyan a 1-0 lead at the midway point of the first quarter. Western New England would grab one shot in the first quarter as Kara Edwards' attempt would go wide while WNE grabbed one penalty corner, though would not be able to come away with a goal on the chance. WNE would be out shot 9-1 in the opening period while Henry picked up five saves.

Western New England would hold tight with Wesleyan in the second quarter again and would generate the better of the chances to start the quarter. WNE would pick up back-to-back penalty corners while Analise Trani and Haley Kaczka would pick up shots on goal that were taken into the crease and saved by Wesleyan goalkeeper Audrey Pace. The Cardinals would flip the script on the Golden Bears following the spurt of chances for WNE, as Wesleyan would pick up a penalty corner that would result in a slew of shots by the home team, eventually resulting in the second goal of the game for Wesleyan as Sarah Porter took a pass from Natalie Shaw and slotted a shot past Henry, giving Wesleyan a 2-0 lead. The Cardinals out shot the Golden Bears 5-2 in the frame while both teams took two penalty corners, each. Henry came up with two saves in the second period of play.

The third quarter would come at a cost for the Golden Bears as Western New England would allow three goals without picking one up, seeing the home take a 5-0 advantage. Georgia Adams opened the scoring in the quarter for Wesleyan, taking a screaming shot off a penalty corner that zipped by the WNE line of defense and found its way into the back of the net, giving the Cardinals a 3-0 lead. Just three minutes later, the hosts were back on the board when Kenzie Kelly buried a goal on a rebound chance, giving the Cardinals the 4-0 lead. The Cardinals would score one final goal in the third quarter with just under two minutes remaining when Sarah Porter was on the board again, giving Wesleyan a 5-0 lead. The hosts out shot Western New England 7-0 in the frame while outscoring WNE 3-0.

Western New England would find their game in the fourth quarter, though it would be just a little too late. Similar to Saturday's game against Johnson & Wales University, WNE would earn a penalty stroke and would look to Haley Kaczka, as they did on Saturday, to attempt the stroke. For the second time on the season, the junior would tally the stroke and would get the Golden Bears on the board with six minutes remaining, seeing Wesleyan hold a 5-1 lead. Western New England put together a penalty corner play that they would execute to perfection after Analise Trani would slide a pass to Kaczka, who buried the shot, picking up her second goal of the night and fourth of the season, getting WNE within three goals with five minutes remaining. Despite another attempt at goal, Western New England would not be able to complete the comeback, ultimately falling 5-2 to Wesleyan.

Inside the Lines:

• Western New England did not allow a shot to the Cardinals in the fourth quarter, while junior Haley Kaczka put the Golden Bears on the board twice in the fourth, picking up goal numbers three and four on the season.
• Ella Henry picked up ten saves for WNE in between the pipes in 45 minutes played. Zoey Wexler did not allow a goal in the fourth quarter, making two saves..
• A third quarter push for Wesleyan saw three of their five goals occur in the frame. Sarah Porter led the Cardinals with two goals.
• WNE was outshot 21-6 in the contest, while Wesleyan held a 12-7 edge in penalty corners.

Coaches Corner:

• "Bouncing back in the fourth like that was great," said WNE Field Hockey Head Coach Kyle Lyons. "It is so important for the team to see and feel how well we can compete with any team when we play connected and engaged. It's good momentum for us heading into another game so soon."
• When asked about the leadership and recent play of junior Haley Kaczka, Lyons said "Haley is such a strong player and leader for us. Her presence and her voice are so significant. She lays everything out there every practice and game day and truly goes the extra mile. She is an excellent leader by example and her consistent extra efforts are what leads to much of her individual successes. She's such a competitor and has no quit."

Up Next on the Schedule:

• Western New England field hockey heads to MIT on Friday, September 13 at 6:00 PM for a non-conference contest.